Swinburne International Scholarships 2027: Awards Worth up to 30% of Tuition Fees
Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne lists several scholarships for international students commencing study for the first time in 2027 at its Hawthorn campus. For Indonesian students, this matters because the main awards can change the cost calculation for a degree. A scholarship is not a substitute for the whole study budget, however, and should not be treated as confirmed funding until it appears in an offer letter.
Swinburne’s official 2027 information lists two main merit-based awards: the Swinburne International Scholarship, worth 20% of tuition fees, and the George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship, worth 30% of tuition fees for the standard course duration, where a student is eligible.[1]
Main scholarships for the 2027 intake
1. Swinburne International Scholarship
This scholarship is for international students commencing an eligible undergraduate course, postgraduate course, or pathway course at Hawthorn for the first time in 2027. The pathways named by Swinburne include the Swinburne Foundation Program, UniLink diploma, and Postgraduate Qualifying Program.[1]
If eligible, a student receives a scholarship worth 20% of tuition fees for the standard course duration, from the course start date to the course end date stated in the letter of offer.[1]
2. George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship
This award is also for international students commencing an undergraduate or postgraduate course at Hawthorn for the first time in 2027 who demonstrate high academic performance. Its value is a scholarship worth 30% of tuition fees for the standard course duration set out in the offer letter.[1]
The terms “merit-based” and “high academic performance” mean that your academic results are an important part of assessment. They do not make a scholarship an automatic right for every applicant with good grades. Swinburne determines eligibility and records an award in the offer where it is granted.
ELICOS+ and Women in Engineering Leadership Scholarship
Swinburne also lists the ELICOS+ Scholarship for applicants taking an English language course (ELICOS) alongside an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework course who do not yet meet the English requirement for the principal course. Once ELICOS is completed and the principal course begins, a refund equivalent to up to 10 weeks of ELICOS fees may be deducted from tuition across the first three semesters of the main programme.[1]
For 2027, the Women in Engineering Leadership Scholarship is worth 30% of tuition fees for the standard course duration for eligible international women commencing at Hawthorn for the first time in eligible engineering or construction courses. Listed courses include the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours), and selected engineering and construction master’s degrees.[1]
This specialist scholarship also links support with professional development and mentoring. Read the eligible-course list and full conditions on Swinburne’s page before choosing a programme primarily because of the award name.
What does the scholarship not cover?
This is often missed when families compare scholarships. Swinburne states that these scholarships apply to tuition fees only. They do not apply to non-tuition costs such as practicum training, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or other fees.[1]
Your study budget should still include:
- tuition after the scholarship;
- Melbourne living costs;
- OSHC and visa costs;
- accommodation, transport, food, books, and study equipment;
- course-specific expenses, including practicum or equipment where applicable;
- emergency funds.
Do not use a scholarship percentage to estimate the whole cost of study without separating these components.
Excluded courses and general requirements
For the listed 2027 awards, Swinburne names the Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting, including double degrees, as an excluded undergraduate course. Excluded postgraduate courses include the Master of Physiotherapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, research master’s degrees, and doctorates.[1]
Swinburne also says students must be international students, meet course or scholarship entry requirements, scholarship terms and conditions, and the conditions in their offer letter. Students cannot receive certain simultaneous Swinburne tuition scholarships or reduced-fee arrangements; Swinburne will apply the most favourable arrangement where relevant.[1]
These details can change by intake and course. Check the course page, scholarship page, and offer letter together—not just one promotional page.
No separate scholarship application—but you still need a strong course application
For eligible 2027 applicants, Swinburne says it will assess students automatically using grades from prior study. If a course application is successful and a scholarship is awarded, the information will appear in the letter of offer.[1]
Although no separate scholarship form is required for the listed available awards, you still need to prepare the course application carefully. Swinburne’s international-application page tells applicants to check course entry requirements and prepare documents such as certified academic results and English-language evidence where required.[2]
Practical steps:
- Choose a course and check that it is offered at Hawthorn and not excluded.
- Review academic and English-language requirements on the official course page.
- Prepare transcripts and supporting documents in the required certified form.
- Submit the course application through an official channel or approved education agent.
- Read the full offer letter: course, tuition, scholarship, conditions, dates, and payment terms.
- Plan visa finances using costs after the scholarship, not an assumed highest award.
How to read an offer letter critically
If you receive a scholarship, check four things before accepting an offer:
- Award value and form: is it 20% or 30%, and which tuition fee does the scholarship apply to?
- Duration: does it apply for the stated standard course duration?
- Ongoing conditions: are there progression, enrolment, or academic conditions to maintain?
- Remaining costs: what is the total tuition after the scholarship and which non-tuition costs remain yours?
If there is a difference between a web page and your offer letter, request written clarification from Swinburne or an official representative before paying a deposit.
Closing note
For the 2027 intake, Swinburne offers scholarships worth 20% and 30% of tuition fees for eligible international students at Hawthorn, along with ELICOS+ and a specialist engineering scholarship.[1] For Indonesian students, the soundest approach is to choose the right course first and treat a scholarship as part of the total budget—not the only funding plan.
RIM Education can help you compare courses, tuition fees, scholarships, and an Australian study application plan in a more structured way. Start a consultation at https://rimeducation.com/en/contact-us.
Sources
[1] https://www.swinburne.edu.au/courses/scholarships/international-scholarships — Scholarships for international students — Swinburne University of Technology [2] https://www.swinburne.edu.au/courses/applying/how-to-apply-international — How to apply as an international student — Swinburne University of Technology